Savor Rare Katsunuma Grapes at Home This Summer! Direct-Farm Delivery of Yamanashi’s Katsunuma Grapes, Including the Rare Aki Queen – Limited Pre-Orders Now Open on Makuake!

Hera Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture), which operates the regional revitalization project budo-doki targeting the reduction of discarded grapes in Katsunuma, will begin pre-order sales of Katsunuma-grown grapes via the crowdfunding platform Makuake starting Monday, June 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Supported by many, this marks the third year of the budo-doki project on Makuake.

Makuake pre-order site: https://www.makuake.com/project/budo-doki2026/

【How Direct Delivery from Katsunuma, Yamanashi is Possible Despite Head Office in Saitama】

During the project period, the team travels by car from Saitama to Yamanashi to enable direct shipment from Katsunuma’s farmers.

【What is budo-doki?】

budo-doki is a regional revitalization initiative launched in 2023 with the goal of reducing discarded grapes in Katsunuma.

Since 2023, the project has conducted online pre-order sales through Makuake, and this year marks its third iteration.

The initiative began after learning about the reality of grape waste from local Katsunuma farmers. Now, thanks to Makuake’s crowdfunding platform, Katsunuma grapes—once accessible only by visiting the region in person—can be easily enjoyed by people across Japan.

In 2023 and 2025, many supporters pre-ordered grapes through Makuake, contributing directly to the reduction of discarded produce.

【Kofu Basin: An Ideal Environment for Grape Cultivation】

The Kofu Basin is renowned for its ideal climate and topography for grape farming.

It offers exceptional conditions for growing delicious grapes:

1. Long annual sunshine duration

Yamanashi Prefecture is known for its long hours of sunlight, ranking first nationwide in 2021. Grapes that receive ample sunlight develop greater sweetness and depth of flavor.

2. Large diurnal temperature variation

Warm days filled with sunlight and cool nights allow grapes to accumulate higher sugar content and richer flavor profiles.

3. Low rainfall and well-drained terrain

The region experiences low annual precipitation. Additionally, the abundance of alluvial fans and sloped land ensures excellent drainage, minimizing the risk of root rot—a key advantage for grape cultivation.

In particular, the sloped and inclined lands in eastern Kofu Basin, where Katsunuma is located, offer excellent sun exposure and have long been developed as a premier grape-growing region.

【This Summer’s Limited Grape Varieties】

Also known as the "Queen of Grapes," this seedless variety can be eaten with the skin. It features firm skin and a rich muscat aroma. Its beautiful, refreshing appearance makes it perfect as a summer gift.
(Harvest and shipment date last year: September 4)

Also called the "Black Pearl," this seedless black grape is a cross between Kyoho and Cannon Hall Muscat. While its cultivation area has declined recently due to the popularity of Shine Muscat, it remains a classic favorite among black grape lovers. It features a sweet, grape-juice-like aroma known as "foxy flavor."
(Harvest and shipment date last year: September 4)

A rare seedless red grape also known as "Crystal Rose." Its skin displays a lovely blend of pale purple, pink, and beige, and its gentle sweetness is a key charm.
(Harvest and shipment date last year: August 20)

Four return options are available:
1. Two clusters of Shine Muscat
2. Two clusters of Pione
3. Two clusters of Aki Queen (rare variety, limited to only 5 boxes)
4. One cluster of Shine Muscat + one cluster of Pione (ideal for taste comparison)

The "Shine Muscat + Pione" set offers a luxurious combination of "refreshing sweetness" and "deep richness," allowing you to enjoy contrasting flavors in one package—popular among those who enjoy comparative tasting.

Moving forward, we will continue our efforts to introduce more people to the charm of Katsunuma grapes and make them easily accessible.

【Project Overview】

Project Name: 2026 First Harvest | Direct-Farm Delivery of Katsunuma Grapes | Experience the Essence of Grapes

Sales Period: June 15, 2026 (Mon) 12:00 PM – August 9, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 PM

URL: https://www.makuake.com/project/budo-doki2026/